For the fifth time since it was established, Vintage Wheels held the Cairo Classic Meet of 2017 in the heart of the capital, steps away from Cairo Tower and right in front of the iconic Qasr Al-Nil Bridge. This year's event set a new record of its own with 164 classic cars and motorcycles on display, according to Mahmoud Ezzeddin, the president of Vintage Wheels. On a sunny Friday, precisely nine in the morning, classic car owners arrived at the park to start taking their spots assigned by the organisers according to the make and year of manufacture of the vehicles. Aficionados from all over the country then followed, filling the park with enthusiasm which recalled the golden days. It's as if the whole park became a time machine that took you from 1903 up to 1987 with cars that must have brought great memories for many visitors. Once you entered the park you quickly realised that you needed more than just a day to check out all the treasures it holds, from the American Muscle corner to the German to the English… you name it. Classic rendez-vous As there are always some unusual finds in every collection, some cars were extra special, attracting more attention from visitors like the 1947 Bentley MKVI, the Cadillac S75 Fleetwood of former Egyptian president Anwar Al-Sadat, the Jaguar E-Type, and the BMW E30 Alpina B6. The American and Mercedes pavilions were also crowded. Visitors also had the chance to talk with the owners, asking them about their cars and their experience in restoring them. “Such events allow the classic car community to gather and share their progress and experiences in bringing back the valuable treasure of classic cars to life,” said Yehia Rashdan, an experienced classic car collector. The event also encouraged classic collectors of various tastes to display whatever valuable vintage paraphernalia they collect, not just automobiles but radios, old currencies and even stamps. This is one of the main values of the event: taking care of vintage pieces and giving it the respect they deserve. “Old collectables always have a story behind them and that's what makes them special,” said Mahmoud, a visitor. Classic rendez-vous Vintage vibes were all over the place, with a classic live band and old-fashioned music swaying the park. It was the perfect blend to enjoy a day out of this world. Families including all generations enjoyed the day taking pictures with stunning classic cars that took a lot of effort from their owners who worked hard to keep them in good shape. Such events are what make classic car owners in Egypt motivated to keep going despite all the challenges they face from the scarcity of parts to the expensive running costs. Vintage Wheels along with the Ministry of Tourism work on supporting the Cairo Classic Meet as one of Egypt's glowing yearly celebrations, an event that sends many positive messages to the world.
